Higher risk of vesicouretral reflux in acute T10-L2 injuries

[Wise Young]

• Suzuki T and Ushiyama T (2001). Vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury: a retrospective study. Spinal Cord. 39 (1): 23-5. Summary: STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors of vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury. SETTING: Japan. METHODS: Urological evaluation, including cystography and urodynamic study was performed in patients in the early stage of spinal cord injury. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 13 patients with vesicoureteral reflux. Group 2 included 97 patients without vesicoureteral reflux. We compared Group 1 and Group 2 regarding bladder deformation, the level of spinal cord injury, bladder behaviour, bladder compliance, high urethral closure pressure and method of urine evacuation. RESULTS: The patients injured between Th10 and L2 showed a significantly higher incidence of vesicoureteral reflux than those injured in other areas (P<0.01). Furthermore, bladder compliance among patients with vesicoureteral reflux tended to be low. Other factors showed no differences between patients with and without vesicoureteral reflux. CONCLUSION: Injuries between Th10 and L2 involve the sympathetic nervous system. Patients with such injuries often exhibited vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11224010> Department of Urology, National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled, Tokorozawa, Japan.